A Summer of Thoroughbreds... Colby's Story

I wish the month of May was 57 days long. There are not enough hours in the day to attend all the horse shows, races, and events that I want to see each year. On Memorial Day weekend, I visited Helping Hearts Equine Rescue in Perrineville, NJ and took some photos of the rescue's newest intake, an off-the-track Thoroughbred named Colby.

With a quick glance, you might guess that Colby is older than he really is. Although he is turning 4 in mid-June, his thin frame and the long guard hairs in his coat give him the look of a horse many times his actual age. Under his patchy coat lies a case of rainrot. His left knee is swollen, and he's recovering from a whopping hoof abscess.

As a newcomer to the rescue, Colby will spend 30 days in a quarantine stall and paddock. While he acclimates to the farm, his treatments and medical evaluations will begin. He will be evaluated by a veterinarian, dewormed, his rainrot will be treated, and he will be put into a specialized feeding program.

After quarantine ends, Colby will meet his fellow rescues, and spend time grazing, playing, and de-stressing in the farm's large pastures. When he's ready, his training evaluations will begin, and he will prepare to become an adoptable horse.

 Colby's body tells the story of a difficult winter, but the sparkle in his eye and his baby-faced expression tell the story of his bright future. In the capable hands of Lisa Post and the rest of the Helping Hearts team, Colby will receive the rehabilitation and training that he needs to start his new life.

If you're interested in donating to the rescue for Colby's care, you can send a Paypal donation to hheartsequine@optonline.net, or visit the HHER website for other donation options. HHER is a 501(c)(3) charity, and horses like Colby are nursed back to health through the generosity of donations and the commitment of dedicated volunteers.

Please check back for new photos and updates about Colby, as well as other Thoroughbreds I meet this summer.

- Sarah Andrew

Thewifedoesntknow Training Blog: Week 19

Part 15 in a weekly series of training blogs about Thewifedoesntknow, a Thoroughbred mare made famous by a viral YouTube video and who is now in training to be a show hunter with New Jersey-based trainer Carole Davison.  

I FINALLY wrapped up production on the Horses and Hope 2013 calendar, and it goes to print this week. After several weeks of editing, archiving, researching, and all kinds of other fun things, I got to stop by Carole's barn and visit Thewifedoesntknow, also known as Ally-Gator.   

In New Jersey, the autumn leaves are starting to peak, and the horses are all enjoying the brisk air. Ally had a spring in her step while Carole warmed her up. Her neck has become more elegant and smoothly muscled. Her chest has spread more, and her engine? It just gets bigger and bigger. Her flatwork shows great progress. She has always had a very nice walk and canter, but now her trot is catching up with her other gaits. In this photo above, I see more push from the hind end and lightness in her forehand. 

Her canter has always been lovely, but it just gets better and better. Everything comes easily to her now. Her strides are fluid and relaxed. The walk-to-canter transition is improving on both leads. She accepts contact from Carole. This mare had a good work ethic on the track, and she continues to love to work in her new career.

 I thought Ally's flatwork was impressive until I saw what she's now doing over fences. She approaches her jumping with the same enthusiasm that she has during her flatwork.

As Carole schooled her over a variety of fences for our photo session, Ally's athletic ability was breathtaking. She simply floated over everything. It is clear that she is capable of jumping much larger obstacles when the time comes. For now, Carole is taking her time and building a good, confident foundation on the mare. They mostly work on schooling grids, poles, and simple lines, but it was a thrill to see a sampling of everything this mare can do now.

 Through a one-stride gymnastic line from a cross rail to an oxer, Ally showed scope and power.

 Over a little brush box, she showed confidence.

 Over a single vertical, she showed adjustability in her distances. She has the stride, the step, the style, and the form for the hunter ring, but I could also see her doing well as an eventer, since she has so much power and is such a confident jumper. Whatever she ends up doing, she will have her own fan club and personal blogger/photographer.

• Click here to read Training Blog, Week 1

• Click here to read Training Blog, Week 2

• Click here to read Training Blog, Week 3 

• Click here to read Training Blog, Week 5

• Click here to read Training Blog, Week 7

• Click here to read Training Blog, Week 8

•  Click here to read Training Blog, Week 11

• Click here to read Training Blog, Week 12

•  Click here to read Training Blog, Week 15

• Click here to read my interview with breeder Meg Buckley, who bred and raised Thewifedoesntknow

• Click here to read my interview with Tim Shaw, who trained "The Wife" at Monmouth Park and retired her as a sound sporthorse prospect

• Click here to read my interview with jockey Shannon Uske, who rode "The Wife" in her last race 

• Click here to read about Ally-Gator's massage session with Christie Kerr

• Click here to read Karen Hagy's conformation analysis of the Thewifedoesntknow, and see "before/after" photos of the changes in her musculature and hooves since she retired from the racetrack in June

IN OTHER NEWS

Horses and Hope 2013 Calendar

With the help of Gina Keesling of HoofPrints, my 2012 debut calendar contained over 100 photos of auction horses. Thanks to the support of horse lovers all over, it raised nearly $40,000 for One Horse At A Time, helping hundreds of horses in need directly, and untold others indirectly through increased public awareness. Now that we have one calendar's worth of experience to draw upon, the 2013 version promises to be even more exciting, even more creative, and as always, inspirational and positive.  

 

Please click here to reserve your copy now for mid-October delivery 

 

 

 -Sarah Andrew

Thewifedoesntknow Training Blog: Updated Photos and Conformation Analysis

Thewifedoesntknow, aka Ally-Gator

One of my favorite parts of doing this blog is watching this lovely mare's physical development from week to week. Ally-Gator, you've come a long way, baby.  In June, she retired from the track sound, and very fit. By August, she already had the beginnings of the muscling of a show horse. Below is a series of conformation photos, taken on June 16, July 7, and August 25:

RIGHT SIDE

Photo taken June 16, 2012. Just a few days off the track.

Photo taken July 7, 2012, into her 4th week of training.

Photo taken August 25, 2012, into her 10th week of training.

  LEFT SIDE

Photo taken June 16, 2012. Just a few days off the track.

Photo taken July 7, 2012, into her 4th week of training.

Photo taken August 25, 2012, into her 10th week of training.

I asked my friend Karen Hagy, a lifelong equestrian and accomplished dressage rider, to share her thoughts on Thewifedoesntknow's conformation. Over the years, I've learned a lot from her. Here's what she had to say:

"When I do a conformation analysis, I always start at the head and work my way back. 

This mare has an attractive head and an intelligent eye. Her expression tells me that she's engaged, and interested in her surroundings. Thoroughbreds are known for being smart and willing. She looks like she fits the bill. 

She has a shapely neck that is nicely set on her shoulder. Her shoulder is big with adequate angle. Her humerus, which is what allows a horse to lift and tuck the front legs over a fence, is long and open. She should be able to lift her knees up and tuck her legs with little effort.

Her topline is medium in length and well developed. Her withers reach well into her back. 

The "motor" on a horse is their hip. This is where they get their power and impulsion. This mare has a nice hip length that should serve her well in the hunter ring.

Her legs look clean with good-sized tendon attachments. Strong tendon attachments aid in long-term soundness. Her back legs are a bit on the straight side, which should aid her over the fences. Her joints are of adequate size, she has decently-set hocks and good-looking feet."

 And speaking of feet, here's a series of photos of her front hooves and the transformation they have made in the care of farrier Craig Farrell:

Photo taken June 16, 2012. Just a few days off the track.

Photo taken July 7, 2012, into her 4th week of training.

Photo taken August 25, 2012, into her 10th week of training.

 This is Part 11 in a weekly series of training blogs about Thewifedoesntknow, a Thoroughbred mare made famous by a viral YouTube video and who is now in training to be a show hunter with New Jersey-based trainer Carole Davison.   

•   Click here to read my interview with breeder Meg Buckley, who bred and raised Thewifedoesntknow

•  Click here to read my interview with Tim Shaw, who trained "The Wife" at Monmouth Park and retired her as a sound sporthorse prospect

•  Click here to read my interview with jockey Shannon Uske, who rode "The Wife" in her last race 

• Click here to read about Ally-Gator's massage session with Christie Kerr

• Click here to read Training Blog, Week 1

• Click here to read Training Blog, Week 2

• Click here to read Training Blog, Week 3 

• Click here to read Training Blog, Week 5

• Click here to read Training Blog, Week 7

• Click here to read Training Blog, Week 8

 -Sarah Andrew

Thewifedoesntknow Training Blog: Week 7

 Part 8 in a weekly series of training blogs about Thewifedoesntknow, a Thoroughbred mare made famous by a viral YouTube video and who is now in training to be a show hunter with New Jersey-based trainer Carole Davison. 

"Good dressage is like grass growing. You don't see anything happening, but over time it becomes more beautiful."  -Walter Zettl

My Saturday morning started at 4:30am this week- that's the one thing I don't miss about horse shows. By the time I photographed this week's session for Thewifedoesntknow, trainer Carole Davison had already been to a dressage show and back; she trailered, coached, and took care of all those important little details, from pep talks to girth checks. Her students both had very successful outings. My friend Kris (pictured, above with Carole) rode her mare Sunny, a BLM Mustang and Helping Hearts Equine Rescue graduate, in their very first dressage show, and came home with ribbons and excellent test scores.

After the show and a few lessons, I met them back at the farm, and Carole tacked up Thewifedoesntknow, also known as Ally-Gator, for their ride. As I watched the ride, the above Walter Zettl quote about grass growing came to mind. The mare's mental and physical development is steady and consistent, but never rushed. With each photo session, I see new muscling, new confidence, and new skills.

Ally's overall appearance is broader and more balanced than when she began her new career as a hunter. From conditioning work and the "long and low" exercises, her neck has more shape to it. Her hind end is powerful, and her pectoral muscles have spread, giving her a rounder look.

Transitions within the gaits are key to suppling a horse and increasing fluidity of the stride. Carole recently began working on alternately shortening and lengthening Ally's trot, and I saw the results in a freer shoulder and a more elastic stride. The transition work also improved Ally's reaction time to cues.

Ally has always had a nice canter and good natural cadence, and it improves each time I see her. As she builds strength, sometimes her left lead is best and sometimes the right lead is best. Carole said that this week, she asked Ally for her first flying lead changes, and they were perfect. 

 Ally works well alone, and is also cheerful and relaxed when she shares the ring with other horses. She seemed to enjoy the company of Carole's daughter Liz and her mount, Suzie (pictured above).

 In addition to circles and serpentines, Carole recently introduced a course of ground poles to Ally's schooling. In the beginning of their training, they walked them. In later weeks, they trotted them. Now, Ally has begun cantering them. She is enthusiastic and balanced when she does her work over the course, and I really liked how she coiled her hind end and rounded over the poles. She did not scramble over them, like some green horses do.

 At the end of the ride, Carole did her usual cooldown at the trot, but with an added element. Ally was invited to stretch her neck, but then Carole gave her more and more rein until she was riding her on the buckle. The exercise taught relaxation and self-carriage. Ally carried herself for a few strides. When she lost her balance, she sped up. 

After Ally's ride was complete, she stood politely while Carole set up a course of jumps for her daughter Liz and her Thoroughbred, Suzie. Ally nosed the poles and enjoyed exploring the jumps.

 Pictured above is Carole's daughter, Liz, and Carole's mare, Suzie. With consistent, careful training on the flat, Ally-Gator gathers the strength and training needed to do work over fences like Suzie.       

•  Click here to read my interview with breeder Meg Buckley, who bred and raised Thewifedoesntknow

•  Click here to read my interview with Tim Shaw, who trained "The Wife" at Monmouth Park and retired her as a sound sporthorse prospect

•  Click here to read my interview with jockey Shannon Uske, who rode "The Wife" in her last race 

• Click here to read Training Blog, Week 1

• Click here to read Training Blog, Week 2

• Click here to read Training Blog, Week 3 

• Click here to read Training Blog, Week 5

-Sarah Andrew 

And They're Off! $4,000 Thoroughbred Jumper Classic at the Garden State Horse Show

-Sarah Andrew

The last time I was at the Garden State Horse Show, I was 17 years old and I rode my horse, Alibhai's Alibar, in a little jumper class. We were reserve champions that day, and when the next edition of the Chronicle of the Horse was published, I excitedly flipped to the show results and beamed when I saw our names.

17 years later, I returned to the show, this time on assignment for the TDN. I found myself back in the jumper ring, with a camera in my hands instead of reins. I photographed about 25 Thoroughbreds in the $4,000 Thoroughbred Jumper Classic. You can read my preview of the class at this link: http://thetdnblog.blogspot.com/2012/05/thoroughbreds-on-first-saturday-in-may.html.

This year, the Garden State Horse Show awarded bonuses and hosted Thoroughbred hunter and jumper classes for the first time, through the support of the New Jersey Thoroughbred Industry, New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, and the TAKE2 program (an initiative of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, the New York Racing Association and the New York Thoroughbred Breeders Inc.).

On Friday, Star Street, a handsome son of Empire Maker who raced under the name Open Space, won the Thoroughbred Hunter Classic. I wasn't able to attend the show on Friday, but this photo by Reflections Photography illustrates exactly how he won the class. His form and style are remarkable, and everyone who saw his round said he embodied the quintessential show hunter.  

©2012 Reflections Photography

 On Saturday, the TAKE2 jump was proudly displayed in the Grand Prix ring, and was the centerpiece for the win photos.

In my preview of the jumper class, I introduced you to Smithwick, aka Hennessy, aka Bob's Big Bunch. The chestnut gelding was expertly piloted by Melissa Monti, but he pulled a rail and did not make it to the jumpoff.

As I watched the jumper class, I heard and saw a few common themes. The horses were quick, game, and eager. Some were a little too eager, and I heard many riders speaking soothingly to their mounts as they careened past, "Eeeeeasy, whoa, eeeeasy..." During the jumpoff, the rounds got faster and the riders handled the courses as accurately as possible, as illustrated in this photo of Jaclyn Loprete and Mostly Mine.

I saw a range of sizes and builds in the jumper class, and these horses came from very different backgrounds. Tug's Lucky Stripe, ridden by Heather Roth, was bred in England, never raced, and was an upper-level three-day event horse and jumper before he was imported to the United States. He competed at Badminton, Rolex, and in various mini prix jumper classes.

  Loquita, racing name Sheza Raisinet, was purchased from the Camelot Auction feedlot in New Jersey, and is now owned and ridden by Wilhelmina "Willie" Horzepa.

Charlene Benson's Jersey Girl (racing name Cat's Flag) was a test mare for breeding after she retired from the track.

West Side Story, ridden by Noelle Bianculli, was an eventer before she started showing him in jumper classes.

Some horses, like Smartenique (ridden by Abby Barrett), showed under their racing names.

Nine horses made it to the jumpoff, including Less Is More, aka Lester, aka Mommie's Luke, who was featured in my preview. Linda McBurney handled the nimble bay with surgical precision, and they finished the class in third place.

Cheer For Me ("Cheers") and Kate Gearhart finished in second, only a fraction of a second behind the winners. Cheer For Me's Jockey Club name is Cheer For You. After he was retired from the track, he was a very successful Young Rider's level eventing horse for a client of Buck Davidson's. According to Kate, "Cheers truly loves the game of horse showing and we are very grateful for the opportunity that the Thoroughbred classes present".

Four's A Charm, aka Jinx (racing name Ruslan), and Kacey Rovere won the class in style, and in addition to the prize money, picked up a beautiful bridle from Five Star Tack.

Four's A Charm (right) and Jamboree (left, racing name El Derechos, seen here with Rebecca Krampen) retired from the track without ever winning a race, but both have more than enough talent to bring home ribbons in the show ring.

The Thoroughbred Jumper Classic was a real treat for spectators, from the nerve-wracking first rounds, to the gritty jumpoff rides, to the proud riders taking a rousing victory gallop after the class had ended. The Thoroughbred classes across the country are growing in popularity. As a rider and a Thoroughbred owner, I was inspired by the class, and I hope to find myself back in the show ring again sometime soon, this time in the saddle and without the camera.